Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that industrial employment in March was 239,300, an increase of 700 compared with the December figure.
The figure was 2,400 higher than in the same month last year. Adjusted for seasonal factors, the increase was 2,300 in the quarter. Meanwhile, average weekly industrial earnings rose at an annual rate of 2.7% in March.
Separate figures show a deficit of just over €2 billion in the current account of the balance of payments for the first three months of 2006.
This was narrower than the €1.7 billion deficit in the same period last year. The invisibles deficit was similar, but there was a higher merchandise surplus of €6.8 billion.
